This collection of short pieces for piano by Debussy are precious. Claude Debussy is often referred to as the father of impressionism music. However Debussy, Ravel, Satie,Lili Boulanger, et al, did not consider themselves impressionists. They thought Impressionism should be only related to painting style in the late 19th-early 20th century. Debussy's piano pieces in this collection, are so dream like, kind, wonderful, to me they seem to induce feelings that are better than from living itself. If anyone is not moved by
e.g. Claire De Lune, it would be legitimate to question if they have a "heart". Or better to be less accusatory, they are lacking in sensitivity, often not their own fault. Most of these piano solos have been orchestrated which are more
"popular" than the solos. But there is a singular experience which transforms one's soul by these works by piano alone.
by the way: Around the time of the Impressionism music epoch, The great and famous French teacher of music theory and composition and style, Nadia Boulanger(1887-1979) said she gave up composing her own music when she heard her younger sister Lili Boulanger's wonderful musical compositions. Ironically the world renowned composition teacher gave up composing because she thought her sisters much superior. Sadly, Lili Boulanger, died at the age of 25 years of age(1893-1918).